Wisconsin: Latin Mass support "vocal and growing"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

The local press is reporting on this phenomenon: Ellie Arkin doesn’t speak Latin, so upon entering Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Madison on a recent Sunday, the 21-year-old UW-Madison student opened a Latin-to-English translation book provided by the church. For the next hour, she and many of the other parishioners followed along in the book as the Mass unfolded mostly in Latin. For centuries, this was the only way Catholics around the world experienced Mass. Reforms ushered in by Vatican... Read more

Trying to save lives with "Operation Ceasefire"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

A California initiative is seeking to stem the tide of gang-relateed violence, and churches are now playing a role. From Catholic San Francisco: Hugo Chavez was shot four times, falling to the ground in his gravel driveway, while his younger brother drank beer in the back garden on a jasmine-scented July night in East Palo Alto. “I was in my bedroom when I heard the shooting in front of my house. I ran outside and saw my son on the... Read more

"It's time to play the music, it's time to light the light…"

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Actually, it’s time for a TV theme song so square, it’s suddenly hip! Get a load of “The Muppet Show” theme song, as re-imagined by OK Go (with a helpful assist from Kermit & Co.) Read more

Vatican to SSPX leader: let's talk

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

And they will, on 14 September, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. From CNS: The head of a group of traditionalist Catholics will meet with the Vatican Sept. 14 to continue a series of doctrinal discussions. The Vatican confirmed Aug. 23 that Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society of St. Pius X, will travel to Rome in mid-September to meet with U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of... Read more

And now, some wise words from the catechism …

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

We hear a lot around The Bench about what the catechism teaches. Lest we forget: Charity 1822 Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. 1823 Jesus makes charity the new commandment.96 By loving his own “to the end,”97 he makes manifest the Father’s love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they... Read more

The pope and the deacon

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Below, a shot some may have overlooked from the World Youth Day festivities last week. Pope Benedict, speaking at the monastery of San Lorenzo de el Escorial — alongside an image of the great deacon martyr (complete with his dalmatic, ‘natch!). You can find the text of his address here. Read more

RIP, Jerry Leiber

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Half of the great songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller, Jerry Leiber has died at the age of 78. Among other things, he helped give the world “Hound Dog,” “On Broadway,” “Spanish Harlem,” “I’m a Woman,” “Is That All There Is?” and, in collaboration with Ben. E. King, “Stand By Me.” Below, a blissful reminder of his talent: “Stand By Me,” recorded a couple of years ago by mostly unknown artists from around the world. Read more

One of a kind: meet the WYD pilgrim from China

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Check this out: The final Mass of World Youth Day was a sea of national flags. In the million-strong crowd, however, it was hard to find one particular flag – China. That’s until CNA bumped into Thomas Zeng. “This week has been absolutely fascinating,” said the university student who’s traveled all the way from Shanghai to be at World Youth Day in Madrid. Thomas says he doesn’t know of any other pilgrims from China. “It is wonderful that I can... Read more

Where the "pastor" is a woman

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

Technically, she’s a “Minister of Parish Life.” But last month, Dorothy Carlson was named to lead a parish in the Diocese of San Jose, California. While this move is hardly unprecedented, it is unusual. The Diocese of San Jose website has the details: “Minister of Parish Life”…new phrase, new idea, new job description? Yes, and no. Priests have been doing it for years, so, it’s not a new concept. We call them “pastors.” The fact is, however, that there are... Read more

Give New Yorkers a megaphone to "say something nice" and watch what happens

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From those clever folks at Improv Everywhere: Read more